Masterpieces of Mans Best Friend

If you havent heard, theres a major show coming to town December 2 through 6, an international exhibition of incomparable artistic quality. And no, were not talking about Art Basel.

The South Dade Kennel Club and the Greater Miami Dog Club have joined forces to bring you the Miami-Dade Cluster Dog Show. The afterparties might not be as extravagant as those for Art Basel, but the competition for Best in Show will be much fiercer. Because this will be the last international dog show of the year, expect many of the same competitors you saw on television at the Westminster show  Irish wolfhounds, Sussex spaniels, giant schnauzers, etc. Theres even a bonus: an agility competition that includes dogs zipping through intricate obstacle courses.

The show opens to the public at the Miami-Dade Expo Center this Thursday at 9 a.m., with official Best in Show judging beginning at 3 p.m. every day until Sunday. Admission is a very un-Basel $5 for adults and $2 for children, though in a cruel twist of irony, there are no dogs allowed.
Dec. 3-6, 9 a.m., 2009